Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-03-09

served two years, aud one cold night
in March. 1850, he resolved 10 escape
or die. He had secretly made tools
and had hidden them in his cell.
When the great bell began tolling the
hour at 8 o'clock, he commenced the
work Of cutting hole in the wall. He
worked industriously, and soon had
one cut through, and was in the cor
ridor. Here another wall three feet
thick confronted him. Nothing
daunted, be went to work, and In a
couple OF hours had cut hole big
enough to crawl through. He then
made the startling discovery that the
hole was at least forty feet from the
ground. While he was considering
what had best be done. the guard came
along ard discovered him. Before the
latter could make an outcry, Lyons
sprang upon him, and being a power
ful man, soon had the official insensi-
BILE upon the door. 1t required but a
few minutes TO bind, gag and strip the
man OF his clothes, which Lyons has
tily donned. Lyons then tore his bed
clothes into strips, with which he
made rope and lowered himself 10
the ground.
The steamer SuDfower was anchor
ed at the falls, and, being short Of
hands, when Lyons volunteered to 20
to work they accepted his offer. The
boat left for southern waters. The
prison officials searched high and low
for him, but he could not be found.
In the meantime the steamer Sum
flower changed hands, and in two
years Lyons had become her captain.
He saved money and ran In the Red
River trade. One time while on q
visit to some new friends at Deer
Creek, Miss, he conceived the idea OF
building mammoth cotton gin. Not
having enough money of his own, be
Interested a wealthy planter in bis
scheme, and the gin was built. Time
brought them prosperity, and Dame
Fortune smiled her sweetest on them.
His partner had daughter, and she
and Lyons fell deeply In love. The
latter did not wish to wed the young
lady without telling them of his for
mer life, OF which. prior To this time.
he had been mysteriously reticent.
Calling the young lady and her father
into the Office one day, he made q
clean breast OF the affair. AT its con-
clusion he told the father that lac was
in love with his daughter, and asked
II he would give her TO an escaped con-
vict. The old man considered the mat
ter; and finally gave his consent.
They were married and children grew
up TO bless the household. His wife's
father had died and made over his
property TO his son-in-law, who was
then worth In the neighborhood 70
$4,000.
When the war broke out he Joined
the confederate army 10 battle for the
south. He made gallant soldier,
and won distinction for himself on
many CORY field After peace again
overspread the land he resumed busi-
ness, and Is now q wealthy aud hon.
ored resident of Deer Creek. His hair
is silvered and his face is wrinkled,
but he is still lie and hearty, and he
has nearly reached three score Of
Year,.
Some eight or nine years ago gen.
tleman passed through Deer Creek and
stopped over night with Mr.. Lyons.
He mentioned that he was from Jefier-
sonville, and the host proceeded TO
tell him his history.
Are you not afraid to tell me this.
Mr.. Lyons ?" said the gentleman.
NO" said the host. THE people
here wouldn't see me arrested and
taken back to prison, and ! defy the
officers 10 try ii"
The gentleman has since cores
ponded regularly with his southern
host, and few days ago, for the first
time, related the incident. The hole
Lyons cut through the front Of the
prison Is still visible, although IL has
been patched. and on the books 10
marked: Calvin Lyons escaped
March, lS50.n II is probable that no
attempt will be made to bring him
back and that the man will spend the
few remaining days Of his life in the
southern town in which his industry
won him fortune.